World Cup: see the teams that can already be eliminated in the second round
The first round of the 2026 World Cup concluded this Wednesday (16), after Colombia's 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan at the Azteca Stadium. This Thursday (18), four matches will be held in the tournament, in duels that could already define the first eliminated from this edition.
Czechia and South Africa open the day at 1 pm (Brasília time), at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta. Afterwards, Switzerland faces Bosnia and Herzegovina at 4pm, at SoFi Stadium, in Los Angeles. Hosts Canada face Qatar at 7pm in Vancouver, while Mexico hosts South Korea at 10pm in the city of Guadalajara.
Group A
The result of the game between the Czechs and South Africans could be decisive for both teams. If one of the teams wins, the other will need to hope that its rival in the last round also loses.
In this way, if the Czech team loses the match, it will require a defeat for the Mexicans against the South Koreans. In case of South Africa's setback, the African team needs a negative result from the Asians.
If the combination of results does not happen, the loser of the duel will no longer have a mathematical chance of advancing to the knockout stages.
Group C
Opponents of the Brazilian team, Haiti could say goodbye to the World Cup next Friday (19), if they are overcome by Carlo Ancelotti's team and see Morocco beat Scotland in the other game in Group C.
Group D
In the United States, one of the World Cup's host countries, Paraguay and Türkiye are in a delicate situation. The South Americans could be eliminated if they lose to the Turks and Australia avoid defeat to the hosts.
The same could happen on the other hand, if the Turkish team is defeated by the Paraguayans and the North Americans do not lose the duel against the Socceroos.
Group E
Defeated in their debut, Ecuador can say goodbye to the dispute if they lose to Curaçao and Germany are not overcome by Ivory Coast. The same could happen with the Curacaenses, if the scenario is reversed.
Group F
Tunisia, who beat Sweden 5-1 in the first round, changed coaches and will now be led by Frenchman Hervé Renard. The Africans could be out of the knockout stage if they lose to Japan and the Netherlands beat the Swedes.
Group J
Another group that could see countries eliminated in the second round of the World Cup is Group J, of current champion Argentina. Defeated in their debut, Jordan may no longer have a chance of moving forward in the competition if they lose to Algeria and Austria do not defeat the Argentines.
On the other hand, the Algerians could also end up eliminated if they lose to the Jordanians and the Argentine team doesn't beat the Austrians.
Group K
The only member of Group K that could fall early in the competition is Uzbekistan. The team coached by Fabio Cannavaro will be eliminated if they lose to Portugal and DR Congo beat Colombia.
Group L
Finally, in the last group of the tournament, Croatia and Panama run the risk of saying goodbye to the dispute early. The Croatians cannot be surpassed by the Panamanians and England cannot stumble against Ghana. For the Central American team, defeat to Croatia and the Ghanaians not beating the English would result in elimination.
See the ranking of the most valuable squads of the World Cup
Source: CNN